Media Releases
Councils put on notice over farm rates
Victorian farmers are putting local government on notice as councils prepare their draft budgets for 2020-21. This week VFF President David Jochinke wrote to the state’s rural and regional mayors warning them that Victorian farmers will strongly oppose any unfair…
More time to apply for bushfire recovery fencing grants
The Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund (GERF) and Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) have extended the closing date for the bushfire recovery fencing grants program. More than 100 farmers have already received assistance under the program, which will now be open until…
Hey Aussie Super Funds: let’s talk!
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is calling on the Victorian and Australian Governments to develop an Agriculture Investment Strategy that will incentivise Australian superannuation funds to invest in our ‘bulletproof’ agriculture industry. VFF President David Jochinke said COVID-19 has highlighted…
VFF postpones all elections and conferences to 2021 in response to COVID-19 restrictions
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) will defer all remaining conferences and elections until 2021 in response to the current COVID-19 restrictions around large gatherings that are expected to persist throughout 2020. The decision will impact all corresponding elections for President,…
GERF and VFF team up to support farmers in need
The Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund will partner with the Victorian Farmers Federation to support farmers affected by the East Gippsland bushfires. Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund (GERF) President John Mitchell announced on Friday the fund has allocated $1.4 million to farmers…
VFF Submission to Federal and State Bushfire inquiries calls for sensible fuel management
The Victorian Farmers Federation has provided a detailed report to the Federal Government’s Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements and the Victorian Government’s Inquiry into the 2019-20 Victorian Bushfire Season. VFF President David Jochinke said the 2019-2020 bushfire season…
Buy Aussie flowers and support our regional economy this Mother’s day
Mother’s Day 2020 will be like no other and provide an opportunity to support our local floristry industry. VFF Vice President Emma Germano said that due to COVID-19 restrictions, the percentage of imported flowers has fallen dramatically. “This will take…
450 GL on-farm projects continue despite strengthened test
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is calling for the Federal Department of Agriculture and Water Resources to stop acquiring farmers’ water to meet the 450GL of upwater that is additional to the Basin Plan. VFF Water Council Chairman Richard Anderson…
VFF welcomes support and investment from Federal and State Government
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) today welcomed important announcements and increased grants from the Federal and State Government. VFF President David Jochinke said “the last twenty four hours have seen sensible and prudent initiatives that will further support the agricultural…
Keelty Report confirms low inflows, not water rules the problem
Today’s report from the Interim Inspector General of the Murray Darling Basin into inflows and water sharing between the states has confirmed that low inflows are the cause of irrigators’ water woes – not the Murray Darling Basin Agreement. Victorian…
VFF launches grants for bushfire impacted farmers
Farmers impacted by this summers’ bushfires will have access to $3,000 grants launched by the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF). VFF President David Jochinke said the roll-out of the grants will follow the wind-up of the Fodder Drive as VFF has…
VFF still supporting Bushfire affected farmers
The spirit of mateship and camaraderie among our farmers and the Victorian community was palpable during Victoria’s bushfire crisis. VFF President David Jochinke said the Fodder Drive was a team effort that stretched the length and breadth of Victoria. “We…